Truman

Over-applauded by many critics, TRUMAN is sturdy, standardized biographical moviemaking elevated by incontestably brilliant acting. Unfortunately, this cavalcade of facts and figures is conceived and executed impersonally like a docent delivering a speech in front of the waxworks at a Presidential museum.

Late bloomer Harry S. Truman (Gary Sinise) marries Bess Wallace (Diana Scarwid) and serves proudly in WWI before opening a haberdashery with partner, Eddie Jacobsen (Zeljko Ivanek). Nothing in his farmland background indicated later entry in the political arena. When the Depression nearly bankrupts him, Harry becomes amenable to the career change offered by co...